Corn

(Zea mays) The quintessential Native American
crop, corn was a staple of indigenous peoples
from South America to the Great Lakes. It’s
believed to have been domesticated in Mexico,
and may be of the world’s oldest agricultural
crops. It’s best seeded directly into the garden, in
good, rich, well-drained soil, right about the time
of the last spring frost. Plant it in blocks rather
than long narrow rows, to improve pollination.
Corn can be very drought tolerant, but ears fill
best when there is good soil moisture when
tassels and silk first emerge. Harvest sweet corn
when the kernels are full of milky-colored juice;
allow other types to remain on the stalks until
fully dry. All types of heirloom corn are grown the same way. At about the time of last frost in spring, plant heirloom corn seeds directly into the richest soil available, 1-2 inches deep. Whether planted in rows or beds, allow the corn plants up to about one square foot per plant, on average. Ears fill best when dry conditions are not allowed to prevail at tasseling time. Sweet corn is picked when milky juice is contained within the kernels; clear juice is immature, and chewiness means the ear is over-mature. Flour corn is left on the plant until thoroughly dry in the fall.